REFORM: Where blame resides

In the Senate Education Committee the other day, a victory was carved out in a 5-4 decision that approved SB1113, a bill that proposes to change Idaho's education policy. This bill approves the requirement of online courses for high school graduation, increased class size for current schools (or reduced salaries for teachers), and, incredibly, a laptop computer for every high school freshman in Idaho.

While supporters of this legislation are celebrating and opponents are organizing, I am sure that everyone in Idaho has an opinion, and I do not want to battle the pros and cons in this letter. However, it cannot be contested that the driving force behind this legislation was the State Senator from Coeur d'Alene, John Goedde. While most of the media has focused on the role of Superintendent Luna, it was Sen. Goedde that sponsored the bill in the Senate, and it was Sen. Goedde that cast the decisive vote for the bill's approval in the Education Committee.

Fact: without the support of Sen. Goedde this bill would not have passed. If, over the course of time, this legislation turns out to save the educational system in our state, then I am sure that Sen. Goedde will mark this as his "crowning achievement" as a lawmaker. On the other hand, if this legislation turns out to be a disaster, which seems to be the opinion of most of the people that I am in contact with, then this will be Sen. Goedde's "Waterloo." The only difference being that instead of losing an empire, we will lose an entire generation of young Idahoans and scuttle a system that arguably has worked since the days of Teddy Roosevelt.

Opponents consistently focus their anger at Supt. Luna, which I think is misguided. If people are upset about this legislation they should voice their opinion at the polls the next time Sen. Goedde asks for their support. I know I will.

RICK ANDERSON

Rathdrum